HEREFORDSHIRE pubs, restaurants and takeaways have been handed new ratings in the latest round of food hygiene inspections.

All businesses handling food in the county are regularly checked by local authority food hygiene inspectors.

Businesses are rated, with five being the highest score and zero meaning urgent improvement is necessary.

They are rated on their handling of food, the cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings including layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control, and their systems and checks to ensure food sold or served is safe to eat, and evidence that staff know about food safety.

Rocket Kitchen Cafe, Church Street, Hereford

Rating: two out of five on June 11

Hygienic food handling: generally satisfactory

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: improvement necessary

Management of food safety: generally satisfactory

What this rating means overall: improvement necessary

Trumpet Corner Tearooms, Trumpet

Rating: three out of five on June 6

Hygienic food handling: good

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: generally satisfactory

Management of food safety: generally satisfactory

What this rating means overall: generally satisfactory

The Verzon Hotel, Ledbury

Rating: three out of five on June 5

Hygienic food handling: generally satisfactory

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: good

Management of food safety: generally satisfactory

What this rating means overall: generally satisfactory

Church Street Deli, Church Street, Hereford

Rating: four out of five on June 7

Hygienic food handling: very good

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: generally satisfactory

Management of food safety: good

What this rating means overall: good

Saracens Head, St Martins Street, Hereford

Rating: five out of five on June 5

Hygienic food handling: good

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: good

Management of food safety: good

What this rating means overall: very good

Hill Top Cafe, Fromes Hill

Rating: five out of five on July 4

Hygienic food handling: good

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: good

Management of food safety: very good

What this rating means overall: very good

The Stagg, Titley

Rating: five out of five on July 4

Hygienic food handling: good

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: good

Management of food safety: good

What this rating means overall: very good

Wheatsheaf Inn, Fromes Hill

Rating: five out of five on July 4

Hygienic food handling: good

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: good

Management of food safety: good

What this rating means overall: very good

Magic Masala, St Owen Street, Hereford

Rating: five out of five on July 2

Hygienic food handling: good

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: good

Management of food safety: good

What this rating means overall: very good

Croft Castle, Leominster

Rating: five out of five on July 2

Hygienic food handling: very good

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: good

Management of food safety: very good

What this rating means overall: very good

Little Blue Elephant Play Cafe, Ewyas Harold

Rating: five out of five on June 11

Hygienic food handling: very good

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: good

Management of food safety: very good

What this rating means overall: very good